Making and Presenting Technical Posters Megan O’Byrne

Pre-Planning An effective poster operates on many levels… An effective poster operates on many levels… Source of information Source of information Conversation starter Conversation starter Advertisement of the research Advertisement of the research Summary of the research Summary of the research

Pre-Planning Poor posters generally suffer from some easily solved problems… Poor posters generally suffer from some easily solved problems… Objective(s) and main point(s) hard to find Objective(s) and main point(s) hard to find Text too small Text too small Poor graphics Poor graphics Poor organization Poor organization

Audience Poster sessions have diverse audience members, to appeal to them all… Poster sessions have diverse audience members, to appeal to them all… Provide context Provide context Use plain language Use plain language Avoid jargon and acronyms Avoid jargon and acronyms Interpret your findings Interpret your findings

Choosing Fonts Headlines = Sans Serif Headlines = Sans Serif Arial Arial Century Gothic Century Gothic Tahoma Tahoma Text = Serif Text = Serif Times New Roman Times New Roman Palatino Palatino Garamond Garamond

Font Sizes Your poster should be “readable” from 8 feet. Your poster should be “readable” from 8 feet. Headline size =/> 36 pts Headline size =/> 36 pts Text size =/> 24 pts Text size =/> 24 pts Actual size will vary depending on font. Actual size will vary depending on font. Text size in figures must also be large. Text size in figures must also be large.

Words – Less is More The entire poster should have less than 1000 words, less than 800 is better. The entire poster should have less than 1000 words, less than 800 is better. Avoid blocks of text longer than 10 sentences. Avoid blocks of text longer than 10 sentences. Lists of sentences are better than blocks of text. Lists of sentences are better than blocks of text. Text boxes should be at least 40 characters wide. Text boxes should be at least 40 characters wide.

Using Color Vibrant colors attract attention…and then wear out a readers eyes. Vibrant colors attract attention…and then wear out a readers eyes. Light backgrounds and dark letters are your best combination. Light backgrounds and dark letters are your best combination. Stick to a small palette of colors. Stick to a small palette of colors. Use multiple colors in a theme, not randomly assigned. Use multiple colors in a theme, not randomly assigned.

Formatting In text, use italics instead of underlining. In text, use italics instead of underlining. Subheads should be the same size as text, bolding will draw enough attention. Subheads should be the same size as text, bolding will draw enough attention. Do not use the auto-tab. Set your own smaller tabs or manually space your tabs. Do not use the auto-tab. Set your own smaller tabs or manually space your tabs. Using a single space between sentences will save room. Using a single space between sentences will save room.

Graphics – Backgrounds Avoid using dark backgrounds whenever possible.

Graphics – Frames Use a thin black or grey line around photos to add visual appeal. It should be almost imperceptible. Use a thin black or grey line around photos to add visual appeal. It should be almost imperceptible.

Graphics – Graphs Graph titles should be in “Sentence case” not “Title Case.” Graph titles should be in “Sentence case” not “Title Case.” Label the Y-axis horizontally whenever possible. Label the Y-axis horizontally whenever possible. Do not include dark backgrounds. If they are automatically generated cut them out. Do not include dark backgrounds. If they are automatically generated cut them out. All info here should be readable from 6 feet…most people only read graphs. All info here should be readable from 6 feet…most people only read graphs.

Graphics – Sample Graphs

Presenting Tips Develop a 1-sentence overview. Develop a 1-sentence overview. Make a clear team plan regarding who will stay at the poster when (read: don’t leave the poster unattended). Make a clear team plan regarding who will stay at the poster when (read: don’t leave the poster unattended). Have your faculty members business cards on hand. Have your faculty members business cards on hand. Carry a black marker and white-out. Carry a black marker and white-out.

Wardrobe Coordination Good Bad Good Bad

Wardrobe Coordination

Sample Posters

Helpful Links Advice on Designing Scientific Posters steradvice.htm Advice on Designing Scientific Posters steradvice.htm Creating Effective Poster Presentations efineMessage.html#Note0 Creating Effective Poster Presentations efineMessage.html#Note0 Flickr: The Poster Sessions Pool / Flickr: The Poster Sessions Pool /